50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

Make the sea your itinerary. This private 50-foot catamaran charter gives your group a full or half day around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays, with room for up to 12 people. I like the private boat setup, which means you are not sharing the day with strangers, and I like the freedom to shape the route around swimming, snorkeling, beach time, sightseeing, or lunch.

The crew provides snorkeling gear, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch, so the basic day is refreshingly simple. The main caution is that the long list of possible beaches can be misleading: access rules change, and Trunk Bay, for example, may not be available to commercial charters.

Key points to know before booking

• Your own 50-foot catamaran: The price covers the yacht for up to 12 people, not a seat-by-seat excursion.
• Flexible route: You and the captain can choose stops around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays.
• Strong snorkeling setup: Equipment and floats are included, with sea turtles, stingrays, octopuses, and tropical fish spotted on different outings.
• Comfortable deck space: The back deck has seating and dining space, while the bow has bean bags and large trampolines.
• Drinks are included: Ice, bottled water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch come with the charter.
• Important limits: Lunch is extra, the British Virgin Islands are not available on this boat, and weather can cancel the trip.

What the $1,595 private price really buys

The listed price is $1,595 per group of up to 12 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $133 per person before gratuity. A group of four would pay nearly $399 each, so the value depends heavily on how many people join you.

That price is easier to justify for a family reunion, birthday, wedding group, or several couples traveling together. You are paying for the entire boat, crew, drinks, equipment, and control over the day. A small group may find a shared sailing trip cheaper, but it will not offer the same privacy or room to adjust the plan.

The boat is the SY Sirena, a 50-foot catamaran with a salon that opens onto a large rear deck. You can sit in the shade, spread out with drinks, or eat on the back deck. Up front, bean bag chairs and trampolines create a relaxed place to stretch out while the boat is moving. The trampolines are also a fun spot for watching turtles or dolphins, although sightings are never guaranteed.

The price does not include lunch. You can buy food at some stops, and past outings have included lunch at places such as Lovango. If you want to use every minute for swimming and snorkeling, bring snacks or settle the lunch plan with the captain early.

A tip is also extra. The customary amount is 15 to 20 percent for good service, which adds about $239 to $319 to the listed price. That is worth including in your budget from the start.

Starting in Red Hook and settling aboard

The meeting point is American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the east side of St. Thomas. The charter ends back at the same harbor. Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking, but you should arrange that before arriving rather than assuming it is included.

A text is sent about 24 hours before departure with arrival details. One useful habit is to arrive early. A late start cuts directly into your paid charter, and the crew is not required to extend the outing at the end.

Once aboard, expect to talk through your priorities with the captain. Tell the crew if you care most about sea turtles, quiet coves, beach time, snorkeling, sightseeing, or a relaxed lunch stop. The strongest part of this format is the conversation at the beginning. A good route for teenagers who want turtle sightings may not suit grandparents who prefer calm water and short swims.

The crew has earned especially strong praise for being attentive with families and children. Captains and first mates named in the feedback include Maddie, Olivia, JW, Ro, Alex, Coleman, Vic, Celina, Dave, Chase, Glen, and Yosef. The exact crew varies, but the pattern is clear: the first mate usually handles drinks, snorkeling equipment, floats, and help getting in and out of the water, while the captain handles the route and boat.

The boat itself: space to spread out

The SY Sirena is a better fit for a social group than for a quiet couple. With 12 people aboard, you will have company, but the catamaran layout gives everyone several places to sit.

The salon offers an indoor retreat, useful when you want a break from sun and wind. The rear deck has seating and dining space. The forward trampolines are the most distinctive feature, especially for people who enjoy lying out while underway.

Snorkeling gear and floats are supplied. Bottled water comes from Virgin H2O as part of the operator’s effort to reduce waste. Soda, beer, ice, and Seas the Day signature rum punch are also included. You still need to bring anything specific to your diet, since lunch is not part of the package.

The boat has a restroom, which matters on a four-to-seven-hour outing. This is not a minor luxury. Once you are away from the marina, an onboard bathroom makes the day much easier for children and anyone who does not want to plan every stop around shore facilities.

How to plan a half-day charter

The half-day option is best treated as a focused outing, not a race around every island. A practical plan might include one snorkeling site and one beach stop, with enough time in the water to make the trip worthwhile.

The crew recommends allowing at least 90 minutes at each stop. That includes swimming, snorkeling, getting people in and out of the water, and simply enjoying the setting. Travel time between locations reduces the number of stops you can sensibly make.

A half day suits families with young children, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants a taste of the water without committing most of the day. One family with children ranging from four months to five years received especially attentive help from Maddie and Olivia. Another family used a half-day trip to see turtles, a stingray, and a sunken ship.

You can also ask for a single strong snorkeling stop rather than collecting beaches like postcards. A captain may suggest a calmer cove if the wind is up. That flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose a private boat.

What a full day adds

The full-day charter runs about seven hours and gives you time to combine several types of stops. You might snorkel in the morning, pause for lunch, visit a beach, and finish with another swim or scenic cruise.

A full day works especially well for larger groups with mixed interests. One person can relax on the bow, teenagers can snorkel, younger children can use floats close to the boat, and the group can still stop for food. The extra hours also make it easier to move when wind or crowded conditions affect one side of an island.

Do not expect to visit all 13 places listed as possible stops. Secret Harbour, Brewer’s Bay, Magens Bay, Sapphire Beach, Coki Point, Lindqvist Beach, Honeymoon Beach, Francis Bay, Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, Waterlemon Cay, Scott Bay, and Hansen Bay are choices, not a fixed sequence. Even with a full day, trying to visit all of them would leave little time for the water.

Tell the captain what matters most. A turtle-focused day around St. John will look different from a beach-hopping day around St. Thomas. The captain can also shift the plan toward calmer water when conditions change.

St. Thomas stops, from harbors to broad beaches

Secret Harbour is a sensible choice for a swim and snorkel stop. Its sheltered feel can be useful when wind makes more exposed areas uncomfortable. It also works well for a group that wants water time without making the entire day about one famous beach.

Brewer’s Bay gives you a west-side option and can help balance a route around the island. It is a good reminder that the captain can choose less obvious stops instead of following a standard cruise route.

Magens Bay Beach is one of St. Thomas’s best-known beach settings. Its wide curve is attractive for a group that wants classic beach scenery, but its popularity can make it less peaceful than a smaller cove. Ask the captain about conditions before committing a large part of your limited half-day here.

Sapphire Beach is another useful choice for swimming and beach time. It can suit a group that wants a recognizable St. Thomas stop, though the appeal of a private charter is that you are not restricted to one famous shoreline.

Coki Point Beach is associated with easy water access and snorkeling interest. It can be a good fit for people who want to get in quickly, though conditions and crowd levels may affect the captain’s recommendation.

Lindqvist Beach offers a quieter-feeling alternative to the busiest named beaches. It is the kind of stop where you may appreciate having a captain who can judge the day’s wind and water rather than simply following a printed schedule.

St. John’s coves and turtle country

St. John is where a full-day charter becomes especially useful. The coastline offers a succession of coves, beaches, and snorkeling areas, but moving between them takes time.

Honeymoon Beach is a natural choice for a relaxed swim and beach break. It suits a group that wants a pretty stop without packing the schedule too tightly.

Francis Bay gives you another St. John option, with space for a longer swim or snorkel. It can work well when the group wants time in the water rather than a quick photo stop.

Maho Bay Beach is particularly appealing if your group hopes to see sea turtles. Several outings reported turtle sightings in the St. John area, along with stingrays and tropical fish. Wildlife is never promised, but the crew can point you toward places where conditions are favorable.

Trunk Bay Beach is famous, but this is the stop to verify before you book. Access rules for commercial charters have changed, and the captain may not be allowed to stop there. The current availability should be confirmed directly rather than assumed from the long list of possible destinations.

Waterlemon Cay offers a more nature-focused stop and can be a good match for confident swimmers and snorkelers. Since the water and conditions matter, listen carefully to the captain’s advice before planning this as your main activity.

Scott Bay Beach and Hansen Bay Beach add quieter possibilities on St. John. They are useful names to raise when you want to avoid the most familiar beaches, though your captain will make the final call based on weather, safety, and access.

Snorkeling and sea life

Snorkeling is the heart of this charter. The equipment is included, and the first mate helps fit gear and manage floats. That is particularly useful when your group has mixed confidence in the water.

The wildlife sightings reported on different trips include sea turtles, stingrays, octopuses, a sunken ship, and large numbers of tropical fish. One family’s teenagers specifically wanted turtles and got that focus from Captain Glen and first mate Celina. Another outing found turtles, a stingray, and an octopus.

You should still keep expectations realistic. Sea life is wild, not scheduled. Water clarity, wind, boat traffic, and the time of day all affect what you see. The private format helps because you can spend longer at a promising site instead of being pulled away on a rigid timetable.

If someone in your group is not a strong swimmer, say so before entering the water. One family described the crew keeping an eye on a child who was not comfortable swimming while the parents snorkeled briefly. That is encouraging, but you remain responsible for your children, and you should ask the crew about the safest arrangement for your particular group.

Crew service and the one serious warning

The strongest praise is directed at the crew. People repeatedly highlight helpful captains, cheerful first mates, island facts, drink service, snorkeling assistance, and the ability to adjust plans. The crew has also handled birthdays, family groups, young children, and groups of 11 or 12 people.

That said, do not treat the high rating as a guarantee of a perfect day. One sharply negative account described concerns about life jackets, attitude, customization, and a lunch stop. The operator disputed the safety claim, stated that enough life jackets were aboard, and explained that the crew’s scheduled time should be respected after a late arrival.

The practical lesson is simple: arrive on time, ask direct questions, and state your priorities clearly at the start. If you have special needs involving children, swimming ability, food, or pickup from St. John, settle them before departure.

Weather, cancellation, and who should book

This is an outdoor boating activity, so weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the charter, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The charter suits you best if:

• You have six to 12 people to share the cost.
• You want privacy instead of a standard group cruise.
• Your group includes different ages or swimming abilities.
• You care about snorkeling and sea life.
• You want the captain to adjust the route.
• You are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or family occasion.

It is less suitable if you want a fixed sightseeing schedule, a guaranteed visit to Trunk Bay, a BVI crossing, or an inexpensive outing for only two or three people. The BVI is not available on this vessel, though a separate product can be booked for that destination.

Should you book the SY Sirena charter?

I would book this charter for a medium or large group that values space, privacy, and a flexible day on the water. The included drinks and gear simplify the planning, while the catamaran’s salon, rear deck, bow trampolines, and restroom make a long outing more comfortable.

The best value comes when you let the captain build a sensible route instead of demanding every listed beach. Confirm current access rules, especially for Trunk Bay, arrive early, budget for a 15 to 20 percent tip, and decide how you will handle lunch. If those details fit your plans, this is a strong choice for snorkeling, family time, and a relaxed look at St. Thomas and St. John.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The listed price is $1,595 per group of up to 12 people. The price covers the yacht and the private activity.

How long does the charter last?

The activity lasts approximately four to seven hours, depending on whether you choose the half-day or full-day option.

Where does the charter depart?

The boat departs from American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, St. Thomas, and returns to the same meeting point.

Can I be picked up in Cruz Bay on St. John?

Pickup from Cruz Bay may be possible with an advance request after booking. You should arrange this ahead of time.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but it can be purchased at some locations.

What drinks are provided?

The charter includes bottled water, soda, beer, ice, and Seas the Day signature rum punch.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

Can the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The British Virgin Islands are not available on this vessel. A separate booking is required for a BVI visit.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. Weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.